INTERIOR: BLM releases Utah canyon ATV proposal
Greenwire: Monday, September 12, 2016
The Bureau of Land Management on Friday released its draft environmental assessment for a proposed all-terrain vehicle trails system in a Utah canyon rich with archaeological artifacts.
San Juan County is applying for a right of way through and around Recapture Canyon, a flashpoint in rural Utah's discontent with federal land oversight.
BLM laid out six alternatives, falling on a spectrum from granting the 12-mile trails network to leaving in place the controversial ban of motorized travel.
"I have resources that have to be managed and laws and policy that have to be followed. I don't think it will bring satisfaction to everyone," said Don Hoffheins, BLM's Monticello field office manager.
Standing in the way of San Juan County are artifacts left by Native Americans over 800 years ago, along with river and wildlife habitat (Brian Maffly, Salt Lake Tribune, Sept. 9). — CB
